
A Tribute in Rhyme 

to 

THEODORE ROOSEVELT 







By 
William W. Peavyhouse 



Price 50c 



A TRIBUTE IN RHYME 
TO 

THEODORE 
ROOSEVELT 

Athlete — Cowboy — Hunter — Reformer — Soldier 
Author — Statesman — Orator — Diplomat — A 
Sage With Many University Degrees — Gov- 
ernor — Peace Maker — President of 
the United States. 



Depicting in Graphic and Rhythmical lianguage a Re- 
cital of the Notable Accomplishments and 
Achievements of the Greatest Ameri- 
can of This Generation. 



His vision of our Country's needs 

Into the future swept, 
He formed his visions into deeds 

While others dreamed and slept. 



Also Other Patriotic Poems and Tributes to Our War 

Heroes, Written While in the Service of the 

United States Navy. 

BY -'■,,. 

WILLIAM W. PEAVYHOUSE, 

BANKER, 

HAZARD, KENTUCKY. 

This Is a Memorial In Verse to a Wonderful Man Who 
Accomplished Wonderful Feats for the Welfare of the Human 
Race, and It Will Give a Brief but Comprehensive Insight Into 
This Marvelous Life for the Busy Reader. 






COFYRIGHTKD 1919 



CU531371 



AUG 121919 



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This Tribute to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, 
Including Several Other Patriotic Poems and 
Tributes to Our War Heroes, Is Hereby Dedi- 
cated to the Spirit of Pure, Unadulterated, 
Uucontaminated, Unflinching, Unswerving, and 
Undying Americanism for Which He Fought 
and Plead and Died. 



SOME IMMORTAL WORDS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

WHICH EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN AND SCHOOL 

BOY SHOULD KNOW AND BE ABLE TO 

REPEAT FROM MEMORY 



Colonel Roosevelt died about 4 o'clock on the morning of Janu- 
ary 6th, 1919. The previous evening at a great patriotic rally in the 
New York Hippodrome a message vi^as read from him written espe- 
cially for the occasion. In this message was this striking sentence : 

''We have room for but one flag — the American flag — and this 
excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and 
civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation 
to which we are hostile, and we have room for but one soul loyalty 
and that is loyalty to the American people." 

From One of His Latest Speeches 

"The larger Americanism demands that we refuse to be sundered 
from one another along lines of class or creed or sectional or national 
origin; that we judge each American on his merits as a man; that 
we work for the well being of our bodily selves and also for the 
well being of our spiritual selves ; that we consider safety, that we 
put honor and duty above safety. . . . Only thus shall we 
stand erect before the world, high of heart, masters of our own souls, 
fit to be the fathers of a race of freemen who shall make and shall 
keep this land all that it seemed to the prophetic vision of the 
mighty men who founded and the mighty men who saved it." 

From a speech in Missouri while President: 

"We must insist upon courage and resolution, upon hardihood, 
tenacity, and fertility of resource ; we must insist upon the strong, 
virile virtues, self-restraint, self-mastery, and regard for the rights 
of others." 

From a speech on the "Gospel of Work," while Governor of 
New York: 

"We do not admire the man of timid peace. We admire the man 
who embodies victorious effort ; the man who never wrongs his 
neighbor; who is prompt to help a friend or even an enemy, but 
who has those stern qualities necessary to win in the stern strife of 
actual life." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



From an address at Detroit, Mich., May 18th, 1916 : 
"The working man, like the farmer and business man, must be 
a patriot first or he is unfit to live in America ; and the first duty of 
all patriots is to see that we are able to prevent alien conquerors 
from dictating our home policies." 

"No nation will ever attack a unified and prepared America." 

His Last Message 
"In the fight for Americanism there must be no lagging back." 

From a speech delivered in Chicago in 1903 : 

' ' Speak softly and carry a big stick and you will go far. If the 
American nation will speak softly and yet build and keep at a pitch 
of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe 
Doctrine will go far." 

From a lecture on the "World Movement" at the University of 
Berlin, May 12th, 1910 : 

"This world movement of civilization which is now felt throb- 
bing in every corner of the globe, should bind the nations of the 
world together, while yet leaving unimpaired that love of country 
m the individual citizen which in the present stage of the world's 
progress is essential to the world's well being." 

Some of his Popular expressions, which he originated and which 
have gone around the world : 

"Speak softly and carry a big stick and you will go far." 

"I am for the Square Deal." 

"Fear God and take your own part." 

"I have no patience with Mollycoddles and Pussyfooters." 

"We stand at Armageddon and We Battle for the Lord." 

"It is better to be Faithful than Famous." 

A message from Colonel Roosevelt, indicative of his Christian 
spirit and devotion to the word of God, was inserted in the Bibles 
given in 1917 and 1918 to the American fighting men by the New 
York Bible Society. This message read as follows : 

"The teachings of the New Testament are foreshadowed in 
Micah's verse: 'What more doth the Lord require of thee than to 
do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?' " 

"Do justice and therefore fight valliantly against the armies of 
Germany and Turkey, for these nations in this crisis stand for the 
reign of Moloch and Beelzebub on this earth. 

"Love mercy; treat prisoners well; succor the wounded; treat 
every woman as if she were your oMm sister ; care for the little 
children, and be tender with the old and helpless." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



"Walk humbly; you will do so if you study the life and teach- 
ings of the Saviour." 

Theodore Koosevelt in his early career was an active worker in 
Sunday School and was always a devoted Christian. 

Some Incidents in His Life Illustrating His Sense of Humor and His 

Humanity 

James Bliss Towusend, who was born in Oyster Bay and had been 
a friend of Roosevelt from boyhood, told at a dinner after his death 
that he went to Colonel Roosevelt in 1916 and asked him what he 
would have done in the Lusitania case. 

Colonel Roosevelt, according to Mr. Townsend, said that hind- 
sight was easier to show than foresight, but that if he had been 
President he would have sent for Ambassador Bernstorff imme- 
diatel}' after the advertisements warning passengers not to travel 
on the Lusitania were printed in the newspapers. He said he would 
have asked if the advertisements were official and if he had been 
told they were he would have given the German ambassador two 
hours to get out and would have forced them to take passage on 
the Lusitania on what turned out to be her last voyage. 

On one occasion several Senators and Representatives were in 
the waiting room at the President's office anxious to see the Presi- 
dent. None of them could get in to see the President, however. 
Finally a Senator said to Capt. Loeffler: "Go in and see what's 
holding us up." 

Loeffler came back and reported: "The President is giving a 
reception to the Harvard Baseball team." 

"Well," said another Senator, "tell him there are a lot of Sen- 
ators and Representatives here waiting to see him." Loeffler went 
back and returned again, 

"What did he say?" asked the waiting statesmen. "He said 
he knew it," but he told me that "Senators and Representatives 
must be taught their places when a Harvard delegation are about," 

The following story is told of Colonel Roosevelt as a young man 
in the west, by George William Douglas, in his book, "The Many 
Sided Roosevelt": 

One evening after supper he was reading at a table in the public 
room of a frontier hotel, where he was passing the night. A man 
half drunk came into the hotel with a swagger, marched up to the 
bar and, with a flourish of the arm, commanded everybody to drink. 
Everybody was willing to obey but Roosevelt. He still sat at the 
table busy with his book. 

"Who's that fellow?" the man asked, pointing in Roosevelt's 
direction. 

' ' Oh, he 's a tenderfoot, just arrived, ' ' someone said. ' ' Humph ! ' ' 
he grunted. Then he turned square around and called out: "Say, 
Mr. Four Eyes, I a.sked this house to drink. Did you hear me?" 



10 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



Mr. Roosevelt made no reply. The man swaggered over to him, 
pulling out his pistol and firing as he crossed over to him. 

"I want you to understand that when I ask a man to drink with 
me, that man's got to drink," he threatened fondling his still smok- 
ing pistol. 

"You must excuse me tonight. I do not care for anything to 
drink," said Roosevelt. 

"That don't go here. You just order your drink or there'll be 
more trouble." 

"Very well, sir, Roosevelt replied, rising slowly to his feet and 
waiting till he was firmly poised on them before completing his 
remark. "I do not care for anything, but if I must" 

With the word must he let his fist fly, striking the bully a terrific 
blow, knocking him on the floor. In an instant Roosevelt was 
astride of him with his knees holding down the man's arms. After 
taking away all the weapons he could find he let the man up. 

"Now I hope you understand, sir, that I do not care to drink 
with you," said the young tenderfoot who had hardened his muscle 
to some purpose before he went West. 

His Undaunted Courage 

The great courage of Mr. Roosevelt and his lack of fear were 
shown after he was shot in Milwaukee on October 14th, 1912. When 
he recovered from his wound he was told that he was foolhardy to 
make a speech after he had been shot. 

"Why," said Roosevelt in reply, "I really didn't think I had 
been mortally wounded. If I had been mortally wounded I would 
have bled from the lungs. When I got into the motor I coughed 
hard three times and put my hand to my mouth ; as I did not find 
any blood I thought I was not seriously hurt and went on with my 
speech. 

On this occasion when his physician urged him to return to the 
hotel and not to go to the auditorium to speak, the Colonel replied, 
"I will deliver this speech or die, one or the other." 

When he completed this memorable address his shoes were filled 
with blood that rushed from his gaping chest wound. The Colonel 
displayed heroic courage of the highest type. 

On leaving the White House President Roosevelt declined an 
offer of $100,000.00 per year salary as president of a large corpora- 
tion. He did this because he had determined to make no commercial 
use of his name. He accepted the ofiice of associate editor of the 
Outlook at a salary of $12,000 per year because he believed it offered 
him the means to reach the people. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 11 



What Distinguished Men Have Said About Colonel Roosevelt 

From Major General Leonard Wood, U. S. A. : 

We have lost a great leader in the crisis of the Nation's life. 
Though his voice is silent, his spirit lives and will continue to live 
to stir us to effort in times of public danger and to stimulate our 
righteous efforts for good government, fair dealing, and right living 
at all times. We can ill spare him at this time. 

From Colonel Henry Waterson, editor and writer, Louisville, 
Ky.: 

I am deeply and personally grieved by his death, but I am not 
surprised. He gave himself no rest. His resources were multifa- 
rious, his interests many and wide apart. His like will scarcely 
appear again. No leader ever appealed as he did to the young. A 
cleaner man never lived. No dirty or doubtful dollar ever touched 
his palm. 

From Senator Johnson of California : 

The greatest American of our generation has passed away. He 
had a truer vision, a higher courage, a wiser statesmanship than 
any man of our time. To me he had no parallel — none approached 
him in virility or force or profound knowledge of varied subjects. 
I cannot speak of him in ordinary terms. 

From John Wanamaker, former Postmaster-General : 
The piety of Roosevelt's patriotism and citizenship still lives, 
and Mt. Vernon, Va., Springfield, 111., and Sagamore Hill, N. Y., 
henceforth are inseparably linked together to bear witness of some- 
thing in the lives of three presidents that could not be buried in a 
tomb. 

In the following brief "Tribute in Rhyme" to Theodore Roose- 
velt the author has endeavored to express in words a sort of Memo- 
rial to the name of one of the great heroes of the ages. Being a 
great admirer of the "Man" Roosevelt in his unflinching fight for 
pure and unadulterated Americanism, he believes that the following 
one hundred stanzas in rhyme in a small way express the senti- 
ment of the American people for our hero who has passed from the 
stage of action. 

No monument of stone, or granite or marble could be erected 
high enough to demonstrate the esteem, the admiration, the affec- 
tion, the devotion and the love that the American people possess 
for Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. 

The American nation is a nation of hero worshippers and Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was a world hero. He was champion of the common 
people's rights and he fought for them fearlessly and unflinchingly 
and at the same time sought justice for all. His fighting qualities 
made him a hero because he alwaj^s fought for the right against the 



12 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



wrong. He was the boys' hero because he loved the great outdoor 
life and nature. He loved the things they loved and romped with 
them and made their joy his delight. He was a man's hero because 
of his dauntless courage and sublime leadership, his versatility, and 
the fact that he was master of most any situation with which he was 
confronted. 

Napoleon was a hero because he excelled as a military genius. 
Alexander was a hero because he was a great conqueror. Oliver 
Cromwell was England's hero because of his great statesmanship. 
His literary genius made Shakespeare a hero. The name of Cicero 
has come down through the ages because of his eloquence and force 
of speech and the beauty of his language. Daniel Boone's name 
ranks among the heroes of our own pioneer days as a great hunter. 
Moses was Israel's hero because of his masterful leadership and 
consecration. 

Theodore Roosevelt embodied the characteristics represented by 
all of these heroes and the remarkable thing about him was that 
he excelled in all of them. 

If every American boy would take him as their ideal of manhood 
and try to imitate him in their lives we would soon have an America 
where Bolshevism and anarchy would not dare to raise their heads 
and where high ideals, motives, and purposes would become popular 
themes. 

WILLIAM W. PEAVYHOUSE. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 
A Tribute in Rhyme 

Depicting in graphic language a brief outline of some of the 
wonderful accomplishments and achievements of the most remarka- 
ble and versatile character of modern times. 

By WILLIAM W. PEAVYHOUSE. 

His name, when uttered, thrills the world 

And charms its millions through 
And flags of nations are unfurled 

In honor of his name so great and true. 

Mankind in earth 's remotest parts 

Unites in mighty acclamation 
And a hundred million throbbing hearts 

Greets his name with profound adoration. 

The nation bows in anguish deep 

In the death of a mighty man 
The Avhole wide world is made to weep 

As Roosevelt yields to Heaven's plan. 

The country through was awed and shocked 

And silence veiled the earth about 
As the hand of death so soon had knocked 

And the light of his life went out. 

In prime and vigor of manhood 

He answered the summons sure ; 
Tho' many a battle his strength withstood 

He yields 'ere his years are mature. 

A life of vigor he had wrought; 

He labored to the end; 
A man of vision and forethought — 

The common people's friend. 

The culmination of his life 

Has pained and grieved our souls. 
But, free from all earth's futile strife, 

He's safe in Heaven's folds. 

He loved and served his country's laws 

"With devotion deep and true. 
His heart was wrapped in Freedom's cause, 

His life inspires \is thru and thru. 

13 



14 THE ODORE ROOSEVELT 

His life was clean and versatile 
As he fought against the wrongs ; 

He won the world with the "Teddy Smile" 
As he spoke to the mighty throngs. 

On the wild and woolly western plains 

He won rough rider fame ; 
He matched his wits with earth's best brains, 

With glory to his name. 

He led his troops to victory 

On the slopes of San Juan Hill, 

And his name went down in history 
As a man with an iron will. 

His courage and his vision 

Were two outstanding traits 
And the world sought his decision 

In settling nations' fates. 

The spirit of true Americanism 
He preached and practiced, too; 

His great heart burned with patriotism 
That thrilled the nation through. 

He fought corruption with a might, 

In places high and low ; 
He brought offenders to the light, 

And caused their haunts to go. 

His eloquence and force of speech 
Gripped tight the hearts of men; 

His doctrines true he sought to teach 
Through the charm of his mighty pen. 

He hunted lions in Africa's wilds, 

And the bear in the Rockies ' Heights, 

Exposed the grafters' treacherous wiles 
'Neath New York's glittering lights. 

A fighting man was fearless Teddy, 
And he fought with punch and vim ; 

For any ordeal he was ever ready, 

His vision for service never grew dim. 

He faced each issue that he met 

With courage bold and true ; 
The things on which his heart was set 

He always carried through. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 15 



He sought for all a plain "Square Deal," 

No matter what our state ; 
His Democracy was pure and real, 

And justice true his stern mandate. 

He served his country through the years 

In a multitude of ways; 
His absence melts our hearts to tears, 
As we think of the by-gone days. 

His great career he began 

At the age of twenty-three — 
He won his race against the elan 

Amidst Old New York's glee. 

While serving for our navy valiant, 

Just before the war with Spain, 
He made a record clean and brilliant 

Like his life, without a stain. 

'Twas then he heard his country's call 

To defend Old Glory's fold- 
He volunteered to give his all 

Her sacred precepts to uphold. 

From rolling plains of the Old North "West 

He sought his volunteers; 
The "Rough Rider" boys brought forth their best 

And he led them midst their cheers. 

His fortitude and bravery 

Withstood the fiery test, 
As he led his boys to victory 

O'er San Juan's rugged crest. 

His native state went wild with joy 

For achievements he had wrought; 
They hailed him hero, brave cowboy, 

For the trophies he had brought. 

They hailed him as their leader 

To guide their ship of state. 
He swept the state for Governor, 

And sealed the grafter's fate. 

He fought the fiends of Tammany hall 
Like he charged the Spaniards' forts; 

He forced the gangsters to the wall. 
And drove them to the courts. 



16 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



A great reformer he became 
In the days of his early youth ; 

His rule of life was ever the same — 
"Teach Justice, Peace, and Truth." 

As champion of the people's rights, 

Became a shining star; 
He led them in their righteous fights 

For justice at the Bar. 

So brilliant was his governorship 
Of the Good Old Empire State, 

That the Good Old Party 's ready whip 
Made him McKinley's mate. 

Two nobler men could not be found 
To guard the people's rights — 

Their names throughout the earth resound, 
Their lives are brilliant beacon lights. 

When fiendish assassin's bloody hand 
Had slain our noble President, 

Our hero's name spread thru the land 
As he took the reins of Government. 

The same strong courage marked his acts 

In the Presidential chair, 
That spurred him on to make attacks 

On treachery everywhere. 

He fought monopoly, greed and trusts 
That caused restraint of trade ; 

He curbed their vicious money lusts, 
Their hands of power he stayed. 

When politicians by a trick 

Attempted bossing him. 
He wielded firmly his big stick — 

Their chances they found slim. 

In power and wisdom Roosevelt grew, 
As he solved his problems grave ; 

He struggled ever to be true. 
And the best he had he gave. 

A Prince of Peace he came to be. 
When the Russo-Jap war raged — 

As each of them claimed victory 
His counsel they engaged. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 17 

He weighed the burdens of each nation 

In the spirit of a friend, 
Accomplished reconciliation, 

And brought the conflict to an end. 

As a special recognition 

Of this gracious enterprise, 
He was the first of any nation 

To receive a great Peace Prize. 

Gigantic were his many plans 

For progress and achievement, 
But to impose on other lands 

Would cause his heart bereavement. 

For decades men had tried the feat 

A great canal to make, 
To form a quick and safe retreat 

Through Panama's bog and lake. 

But failure faced each effort made 

To make the job complete ; 
They laid aside their pick and spade, 

Admitting their defeat. 

So Roosevelt seized the chance he saw 

To plant Old Glory there, 
And bought a strip from Panama — 

The feat he swore to dare. 

So now we see the job was done 

In good old Yankee style, 
And Glory waves in tropical sun, 

While ships save many a mile. 

So brilliant was his three-year term 

In the presidential seat. 
That the people cried for Teddy firm. 

To make the job complete. 

He sought his reelection 

To serve for four years more, 
And, with mighty acclamation. 

They elected Theodore. 

He plunged again into the fray. 

His duties to perform — , 
He solved big problems day by day. 

Amidst the calm and storm. 



18 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

In order that the world might greet 
The land of Freedom's birth, 

He sent a mighty battle fleet 
A sailing 'round the earth. 

He settled many a grave dispute 

By simple arbitrations, 
Which actions bore amazing fruit 

For the welfare of the nations. 

In the fall of nineteen hundred seven, 
When it seemed that all was well, 

There arose like seething leaven 
Financial panic's threatening spell. 

They said that Teddy was the cause 

Of all the consternation 
That undermined order's laws 

And swept throughout the nation 

The panic proved of short duration, 

And false was every claim, 
For it was vicious speculation 

And graft that were to blame. 

So Teddy simply turned the lights, 

Exposing crime so bold, 
And stopped the panic's threatening blight 

With millions of pure gold. 

His term as President expired 

With glory to his name, 
A needed rest he much desired, 

And he went to hunt big game. 

To Africa's jungles then he sailed 

To seek a rest of mind ; 
A hunter bold then he was hailed, 

And many specimens did he find. 

Many trophies did he bring 

From the jungles dark and deep, 

Where panther's hideous screeches ring 
And serpents crawl and creep. 

The world will read in graphic columns 
Of his trip to Africa's wilds, 

For he wrote in gleaming volumes 
Of the animals' tricks and wiles. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 19 



When his hunting trip was o'er 
And his journey homeward bound, 

He sought to sail for Europe's shore, 
And there a royal welcome found. 

He visits some of Europe's nations, 
Their kings upon their throne. 

And received such demonstrations 
As the world had never known. 

When he reached old New York's shore line 
The noise broke loose once more 
As the city's rich and poor combine 
To welcome Theodore. 

In the years of his retirement 

He's never lost from sight. 
But filled his life's requirement 

In fighting for the right. 

Like the eagle soaring steady, 

Ever watching for his prey, 
Was the sleepless eye of Teddy 

On the evils of the day. 

When he saw some unfair dealing, 
'Mattered not from whence it came, 

There he turned his light, revealing 
Acts that made men blush with shame. 

The states were soon to feel the strain 

Of the oft-indulged event, 
The all-absorbing big campaign. 

To choose a President. 

All went well in the G. 0. P. 

And the tide seemed calm and steady ; 
The sentiment deep, as all could see, 

Was moving on toward Teddy. 

In many states were ballots cast 

To test the people's voice; 
From every one the news came fast 

That Roosevelt was their choice. 

The delegates came from every state 
And met in the city of Chicago, 

Where the gangsters, filled with hate. 
Pulled off a huge fiasco. 



20 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



The politicians and the trusts, 

Whom Teddy sought to ban, 
Satisfied their selfish lusts 

And chose another man. 

In true old Yankee, Teddy style, 

The loyal and the true 
Failed to stand for things so vile 

And silently withdrew. 

They organized and met once more, 
And sought to make no truce ; 

They chose as leader, Theodore 
Of the party called Bull Moose. 

They waged a battle big and strong, 
That made the tyrants sneak; 

They fought for right against the wrong, 
And let the people speak. 

Their platform stood for justice true. 
For things that were aggressive ; 

They formed a party sound and new, 
And called it's name Progressive. 

While waging hard this great campaign 

In the City of Milwaukee, 
A vicious assassin sought in vain 

To end our hero's plea. 

His battle cry inspired and led on, 

And struck the vital chord: 
"We stand at Armageddon 

And battle for the Lord." 

His fight for righteousness was lost 
By treacherous means and tricks, 

And the good old party's power it cost, 
But it cleaned up politics. 

He retired again to private life, 

To seek a quiet repose. 
But soon the world burst into strife. 

And he turned on Freedom's foes. 

Again the presidential race was on. 
But a different tale was told ; 

The grafters and the gang were gone ; 
He returned to his party's fold. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 21 

When the Hun assailed Old Glory 

And trampled on her fold, 
Althougfh his hair was hoary, 

He became a warrior bold. 

When America in true justice 

Against the Hun had turned, 
The spirit of real service 

Within his great heart burned. 

He sought to lead some volunteers 

Upon the fields of France ; 
Because of politicians' fears 

He failed to get the chance. 

He had four sons so strong and true, 

All filled with a father's will ; 
They volunteered for service, too, 

Their blood for the cause to spill. 

The father fought with voice and pen, 

For he loved Old GIoit's fold; 
The four sons fought and bled like men, 

As one of the stars turned into gold. 

But the brightest star in the firmament 

Has turned to brilliant gold, 
And all the w^orld will long lament 

As the end of his life is told. 

He said to Jim : "Turn Out the Lights; 

I'm in for a bit of sleep"; 
He awoke in a land where comes no night, 

Eternitj^'s vigils to keep. 

His pen has ceased its warning line, 

And his voice is silent, too, 
But his life serene will onward shine. 

Like a star in the Heaven's blue. 

Scorned by many and criticized 

Was our modern Joshua, 
But Christ was scorned and ostracised 

By the rabble of His day. 

Courageous, bold and chivalrous 

As statesman, peer of all, 
His name with power sj'nonymous 

He bravely yields to Heaven's call. 



22 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

Learned, and wise, a brilliant sage, 
Athlete, cowboy, warrior bold, 

Orator, statesman, ablest of the age. 
Writer, diplomat with power untold. 

A man of God he chose to be ; 

In early strength and youth 
He made God's mandate his decree, 

And taught his precious truth. 

When on his hunting trip he went 

To Africa's jungles deep. 
He took God's word and Testament; 

It's truths he sought to keep. 

His vision of our Country's needs 

Into the future swept. 
He formed his visions into deeds 

As others dreamed and slept. 

His two initials were T. R., 

Which shed bright beams of light. 

And, like the shepherd's guiding star, 
They stand for Truth and Right. 

A life of service he has led 
For all of earth's oppressed, 

And now they mourn our hero dead, 
For millions he has blessed. 

Has his life on this earth ended? 

Will his power for blessings cease? 
No ; his spirit with ours blended 

Will his power for good increase. 

His name will link with Washington 
And Lincoln, brave and true. 

As men who lived to serve, and won 
The hearts of millions to their view. 

He blessed the world in many ways ; 

His vision reached afar ; 
Like the sun sends forth its rays, 

His life's a blazing star. 

Like the rippling circles flowing 
From a stone cast on the sea, 

Will his life's work keep on growing 
Through the years that are to be. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 23 



A standard and an inspiration 
For all men, both young and old, 

Was his sublime ministration 
Of a life of power untold. 

High in the hall of matchless fame 
Where the names of heroes blaze. 

We'll write his wondrous, glorious name, 
As the world joins in his praise. 



24 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



AMERICA 
What the Word America Stands For 

A stands for America. 

Glorious, great, and grand; 
M is for her valiant Men 

With courage, grit and sand; 
E stands for the Eagle mighty. 

Bearing power beneath her fold; 
R is for her righteous spirit. 

Which she 's striving to uphold ; 
I stands for her independence, 

Which was won by heroes brave ; 
C is for our Country blessed, 

Where sweet freedom's emblems wave; 
A stands for her mighty Army 

But justice only does she crave. 

A stands for America, 

The Land of Freedom's birth; 
M is for Mercy ; 

She's shown a sin cursed earth; 
E stands for New Eden, 

A modern Paradise ; 
R is for Religion, 

The Spirit of sacrifice ; 
I stands for her Industry; 

She toils from morn till night; 
C is for her Conscience tender. 

Ever striving for the right ; 
A stands for her grand Achievements, 

For her Motto's "Right Makes Might." 

Now we'll put these lines together, 
For they spell a precious word, 
And we'll sing AMERICA* forever, 
As our hearts with love are stirred. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 25 



AMERICA*— SWEET LAND 0' MIllE 

You may travel this wide world o'er 
And sail its seas from shore to shore ; 
You may search from pole to pole 
For a place to rest your soul, 
But you'll never find a land 
That is quite one-half so grand 
As my own beloved Land, 
America ! 

It's the land of milk and honey, 
"Where all life is bright and sunny, 
And your heart will rest content 
On her soil to pitch your tent ; 
Sure there's joy and bliss Divine 
In this blessed land o' mine, 
And I know I'm always thine, 
America ! 

All the lands by slavery bound 
Have in her true friendship found, 
For them a welcome here abides 
By our glowing, warm firesides. 
Where there's peace and harmony, 
Mercy and smiles and charity, 
Glory and honor and Liberty, 
America ! 



She's the land of Freedom's birth, 
Which has spread throughout the earth, 
Bearing joy and happiness 
To the nations in distress. 
Watch earth's tyrant monarchs tremble 
When her mighty hosts assemble, 
In number the sands of the sea resemble 
America. 



She's a land in beauty dressed 
From North to South, from East to West, 
From her verdant hills and plains 
Floats sweet Freedom's tender strains; 
Her lakes and rivers are renowned, 
Her splendid cities glory crowned. 
Her beauties rare in Heaven are found, 
America. 



26 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

America America, 

Long may thy glory shine, 

Land o' mine, sweet Land o' mine; 

Thy spirit is Divine, 

Ever on the side of Right, 
For its precepts she will fight ; 

Land o ' mine, sweet land o ' mine, 

1 long forever to be thine. 

OUR HEROES DEAD IN FRANCE 
A Tribute 

A hundred thousand heroes lie 
Beneath the sod in France, 
America's contribution 
To stop the Hun advance, 
While millions more were waiting 
A chance to give their all 
For the cause of Human Freedom 
And a tyrant Monarch 's fall. 

They went from home and fireside 
In the midst of strength and youth; 
They spilt their precious life blood 
For Justice, Peace, and Truth, 
When the Hun assailed Old Glory, 
And trampled on her fold, 
A nation rose in mighty power, 
Her precepts to uphold. 

They left their loved ones, bravely 
To battle for the right, 
As duty called them onward 
To death they pledged to fight; 
They saw poor Belgium ravaged 
By vicious, fiendish hordes, 
And laid aside their plowshares 
To buckle on their swords. 

They left their own beloved land 
To sail for foreign shores 
To help their brothers in distress 
And open Freedom's doors; 
The cries and groans of women 
Outraged, ravaged, by the Hun 
Aroused our righteous anger. 
Their duty they have done. 



THEODORE ROO SEV ELT 27 

The cries of helpless children 
Murdered by the beast 
Touched our hearts of mercy 
And, thank God, they have ceased. 
In the spirit that our Savior 
Died on Calvary's Tree, 
Our own beloved Heroes 
Have died in Picardy. 

A nation mourns their absence 
And loved ones' hearts are grieved, 
But there's blessed consolation — 
Earth's freedom was achieved; 
The glories of our heroes dead 
Will through the ages shine ; 
Our hearts will sing their praises 
As we worship at their shrine. 

WOODROW WILSON 

America's mighty man of the hour — 
And no one dares to doubt his power — 
He holds the nations in his hands 
And makes them yield to his demands. 

As champion of a world wide peace, 
To make all wars and strife to cease, 
He broke a nation's precedent 
And left its shores while President, 

He sailed the ocean's broad expanse 
To help to write the terms in France ; 
He sought a peace that would endure 
And make mankind from wars secure. 

He organized a league of nations 
To protect the world's relations, 
And to act as Arbitrator, 
World Court, Friend, and Mediator. 

The smaller nations he'd protect. 

And make the mighty ones respect 

Their liberties and sacred rights. 

And keep them safe from broils and fights. 

He sought to right the German vrrongs, 
And place the blame where it belongs — 
To make the Hunnish hordes repent 
For blood and lives the world has spent. 



28 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



He sought the freedom of the seas, 
That ships might sail wher'er they please 
In quest of commerce, venture, trade, 
Free from rules that greed has made. 

To crush the military power 
And spirit that has killed the flower 
Of civilization's tender youth 
And taught deception for the truth. 

This mighty man was one of four. 
Who bravely took the job and bore 
The mighty task upon them placed 
To readjust a world debased. 

Mistakes he made, for he's a man, 
But all the world will praise his plan 
To bring about a world-wide peace 
And make all wars and strife to cease. 



GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING 
A Tribute 

In America's hall of matchless fame 
We'll write another illustrious name, 
And with gratitude a tribute bring 
To our hero brave, John J. Pershing, 
From the gray Atlantic to calm Pacific, 
With loud acclaim and praise prolific 
America thrilled with joy and pride 
Hails our warrior from victory's tide. 

A billion tongues will sing his praise 

As flags of freedom the nations raise ; 

His armies spelled doom to tyrant dictators ; 

His name ranks high among world emancipators ; 

When the savage Villa went on rampage 

And on the innocent committed outrage 

General Pershing was the man who went 

And in true Yankee style closed the event. 

When the Hun on murder's mission went. 

Viciously ravaging the innocent, 

A call came ringing o'er the sea 

To the land of the brave and home of the free, 

So America rose in might and power 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 29 

And chose as leader the man of the liour, 
Our General Pershing, a warrior bold, 
To defend Old Glory's sacred fold. 

Ten million Yanks were on their toes 
To help defeat our freedom's foes, 
And over the ocean's broad expanse 
They sailed to drive the Hun from France ; 
They turned the tide for victory, 
And saved the world for Democracy, 
So Liberty Bell rings Pershing's name 
As we write it high in the Hall of Fame. 

"LAFAYETTE, WE ARE HERE" 

The Immortal Words of General Pershing as he Stood Before the 
Tomb of Lafayette in France 

On the sacred soil of Heroic France 
Silent, motionless, as if in a trance, 
A mighty warrior in reverence grave 
Stood by the tomb of a hero brave. 

Intense was the silence, all was serene ; 

His thoughts turned backward as he looked on the scene. 

In deep meditation, no word was spoken, 

Till stirred by devotion the silence was broken. 

In words that were simple, but deep and clear. 
From the lips of Pershing, "Lafayette, we are here; 
We have come with our millions to redeem your land 
From the blight and scourge of Autocracy's hand." 

"As a champion of Freedom you came to our aid; 
Now we '11 fight for your flag ; till the debt is paid 
We will fight to the death, for Democracy's cause, 
And substitute freedom for Autocracy's laws, 

"We are here, Lafayette," Pershing said with a smile, 
"And our spirits have met to commune for a while. 
As our armies advance to the mighty conflict 
May the spirit of France write the victor's verdict." 

MARSHAL FERDINAND FOCH 

Upon fair history's pages, 
Like the stars of a summer night. 
The names of a thousand warriors 
Shine out with radiant light ; 



30 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

There are stars that shine for Freedom, 
And stars that shine for the Boch, 
But the brilliant star of the ages 
Is Marshal Ferdinand Foch. 

In the galaxy of the ages 
There are many gleaming stars 
Who conquered all the known world 
And yearned for planet Mars, 
But the spirit of their conquest 
Was not in the heart of Foch 
As he led his mighty armies 
To victory o'er the Boch. 

Back from the Marne he drove the Hun, 
Back to the Rhine pell mell they run ; 
Back through the plains of Luxemburg 
Fled Ludendorf and Hindenberg; 
Hail, all hail to the mighty Foch ; 
This is the way he licked the Boch ; 
Turning the tide for victory, 
He saved the world for Democracy. 

THE SPIRIT OF NINETEEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN 

Of Those Who Didn't Get to Fight 

From every training station 
Throughout this mighty nation 
There came the signal strain 
From those who went to train: 
Give us a chance 
Over in France 

In the sweeping Yank advance 
To help to win this war. 

From every hill and valley 
There came the mighty rally 
From the boys they left behind : 
Uncle, won't you be so kind? 
Give us a chance 
Over in France 

In the sweeping Yank advance 
To help to Man this war 

From the boys just in their 'teens, 
Who had scarcely donned long jeans, 
Came the mighty war whoop shout 
Of the watchful big Boy Scout : 



THEODORE ROOS EVE LT 31 

Give us a chance 

Over in France 

In the sweeping Yank advance 

To help to win this war. 

From Atlantic to Pacific, 

In war tones that sound prolific, 

From the veterans, eighteen sixty, 

In the spirit of Old Dixie : 

Give us a chance 

Over in France 

In the sweeping Yank advance 

To help to win this war. 

THE Y. M. C. A. IN THE WORLD WAR 

The inspiration for this little poem was received by the actual 
service rendered by the "Y" to the writer while in service of the 
Navy. 

All glory and praise 

To the Y. M. C. A. 

Through the mist and the gloom 

She sends a bright ray; 

"When we're sad and lonely 

And all seems awry 

The smiling "Y" man 

Is our old stand-by. 

"When we're sick and our brow 

"With fever it hot 

And we toss on our bed 

And worry a lot, 

"We hear the kind voice 

Of our old "Y" friend 

As he comes to our side, 

His assistance to lend. 

"When our ills are abated 
And we feel convalescent. 
And we think of our mother. 
And know she's not present. 
The "Y" man comes smiling, 
"With good books and eats, 
And our hearts are made cheery 
As our sadness retreats. 

"When we 're happy and bright. 

And feeling just fine. 

And we think of our sweetheart, 



32 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



Whom we know is divine, 
We start for the "Y," 
Where there's welcome for men, 
To pour out our hearts 
Through the point of our pen. 

When tired and weary 
And need a good rest, 
We turn, with gladness, 
To that haven so blest; 
There we find consolation, 
And a welcoming smile, 
As we enter its gates. 
There to tarry a while. 

At the close of the day. 

When we 've finished our duties 

And the stars in the skies 

Are revealing their beauties, 

We turn to the "Y," 

Where there's lots of inducement, 

For they furnish us books 

And the best of amusement. 

So the money that's spent 
For the Y. M. C. A. 
Will help through some soul 
To send a bright ray. 
And the glory of the "Y" 
Will never grow dim 
As we sanction its merits 
By giving with a vim. 

HIS MOTHER OF THE CRIMSON CROSS 

A Tribute to the Red Cross Mother 

A wounded, bleeding, Yankee lay 

Somewhere on the fields of France, 

Helpless, alone, forgotten a while 

In the wake of the Yank advance ; 

His heart turned home to mother dear, 

Far over the foaming sea, 

But HIS MOTHER OF THE CRIMSON CROSS was near, 

His comfort and cheer to be. 

When the storm and roar of battle calmed 
And the smoke had cleared away, 
The stretcher bearers came in haste 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 33 



To where the hero lay; 

They bore him quickly to the rear, 

For his death meant America's loss, 

And they left him safe in the arms of love — 

HIS MOTHER OP THE CRIMSON CROSS. 

She gently nursed and cared for him, 

In the spirit of true delight, 

Till healed in body, mind, and soul, 

And ready again to fight; 

Though deprived of his own dear mother's care, 

And keenly felt her loss, 

He's serenely happy in a mother's love — 

HIS MOTHER OF THE CRIMSON CROSS. 

All hail to HIS MOTHER OF THE CRIMSON CROSS, 

An angel of Mercy in a land of dross, 

Braving the tempest of shot and shell, 

She gives her all that he may get well ; 

From North to South, from East to West, 

She 's ever serving and giving her best ; 

To her may the banners be unfurled — 

She 's the greatest Mother in all the world. 



THE TOUCH OF A MOTHER'S HAND 
A Tribute to Mother 

Of all the joys that we call rare. 
That lift our souls to realm Divine, 

There is no bliss that can compare 

With the touch of a Mother's hand "On Mine.' 

In the golden hours of childhood bliss. 

When our whims and cries annoyed her much, 

She soothed our woes with many a kiss. 

And lulled us to sleep Avith her gentle touch. 

In the years of youth and frivolity. 

When the mind is gay and strong. 
Her gentle touch and sympathy 

Guides us from paths of wrong. 

Then in the years of maturity. 

Endowed with manly powers, 
We are led to thoughts of purity 

By the touch of her hand on ours. 



34 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

"When friends prove false and turn away, 
And we feel at our journey's end, 

As the world proves cruel, cold, and gray, 
There's mother, her helping hand to lend. 

Her gentle touch, in memory sweet. 
Will follow us through to the end, 

And our joy and bliss will be complete 
As we dream of our truest friend. 

Ah, the sacred touch of a mother's hand ; 

'Tis precious, tender, glorious, grand; 
How it thrills us through and through, 

When we're feeling sad and blue. 

So remember well, and bear in mind 
That a friend like her we'll never find; 

And as you tread this wide world through. 
Strive to her precepts to be true. 



PEACE 

In the depths of the woodland forest, 

At the twilight's fading glow, 
When the night birds sweetly echo 

Their anthems soft and low. 
And the solemn note of the nightingale 

Resounds through the silence deep. 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil, 

Where nature's beauties sleep. 

In the hush and quiet of evening, 

When the sun has sunk from view 
And the earth is veiled in darkness 

And the toils of the day are through. 
When man, relaxed in slumber. 

Feels safe in his repose. 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil, 

That only honesty knows. 

In the home where children prattle 

And sing their lullabys, 
Where father and mother are happy 

In wedlock's sacred ties. 
Where love rules every action 

And the bells of harmony ring. 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil, 

That only love can bring. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 35 

In the heart that's pure and noble 

And knows no selfish aims, 
Which knows no theme but service 

And makes no boastful claims ; 
In the heart that craves no glory, 

But humbly lives for all, 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil, 

That comes through duty's call. 

In a country where its people 

Are striving for the right, 
Where the stars of human Freedom 

Shine out with radiant light, 
And the spirit of the Prince of Peace 

Finds lodgment in their souls. 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil. 

Which Mercy 's hand unfolds. 

In a world where teeming millions 

Are looking up to God, 
WTiere nations bow in reverence 

And need no chastening rod, 
Where Kingdoms crave no conquest 

And have no selfish plans, 
There's a Peace that's sweet and tranquil, 

Which the hand of Truth demands. 

JOHN BARLEYCORN 
(In Memoriam) 

With profound detestation 

And unrelenting hate, 
We hail with exultation 

John Barleycorn's mournful fate. 

'Tis a pleasure sweet and glorious 

To watch him struggle and die, 
As we see his trail so hideous 

Where his victims helpless lie. 

For years we let him revel 

In luxury's graceful lap, 
But soon his haunts we'll level. 

And his name in oblivion wrap. 

In the pits of darkness he was born ; 

His parents were lust and greed ; 
He laughed the widows' tears to scorn, 

While death was his mortal creed. 



36 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

He wiggled from the pits of hell, 

And left his slimy trail 
Of misery, woe and ghastly spell, 

And scorned the orphan's wail. 

Into the homes of cheer and mirth 
He took his curse and blight ; 

His veil of sorrow filled the earth, 
Like the darkness of the night. 

He sapped the manhood from the strong ; 

A wreck their lives became. 
The friend of theft, and greed and wrong. 

Mankind he would defame. 

Young men in vigor, strength and prime 
Fell victims to his snares ; 

His path was strewn with vicious crime. 
As he caught men unawares. 

Treachery was his weapon strong. 
As through the land he swept, 

Sowing poverty, grief and wrong, 
While helpless mothers wept. 

He practiced vile deception 
Upon the rich and poor, 

Accomplished his reception 
By his cunning lure. 

He stood upon the city squares 

And lured his victims in ; 
He caught them in his vicious scares 

And dragged them down in sin. 

Nothing was too low and mean 

For him to stoop and do ; 
Vile and filthy and unclean. 

His life was brought to view. 

When thoughtful men his deeds beheld, 

So vicious, cruel and vile. 
Against this monster they rebelled 

And fought his cunning wile. 

At first he scorned their efforts bold 
To drive him from the land. 

But soon the fight against him told — 
They stayed his vicious hand. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 37 

The fight against this monster strong 

Increased from year to year, 
Till, facing such a mighty throng, 

His heart was filled with fear. 

They drove him from the village green 

Ahd chased him day and night ; 
His friends were few and far between — 

He faced a hopeless plight. 

In quick succession did each state 

Vote strong for his extinction; 
Between his end and fearful fate 

They made no real distinction. 

So now the victory is won 

Against John Barleycorn ; 
An era peaceful has begun — 

A world has been reborn. 



KENTUCKY 

My Native State 

Gracious, glorious, grand Kentucky, 
A brilliant star in Glory's blue, 
Where the lads are brave and plucky 
And the slackers very few. 
She's a land of milk and honey. 
Where all life is bright and sunny — 
Sure there's joy and bliss divine 
In that blessed state o' mine: 
Serene Kentucky. 

You may tread this wide world o'er 
And sail its seas from shore to shore; 
You may search from pole to pole 
For a place to rest your soul. 
But you'll never find a land 
That is quite one-half so grand 
As the state of Blue Grass fame. 
And I love its precious name : 
Lovely Kentucky. 

The friendless outcasts of mankind 
Will in her borders friendship find — 
For them a welcome here abides 
By our glowing, warm firesides, 
Where there 's peace and harmony. 



38 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

Mercy and smiles and charity, 
In that state of varied soils, 
Where no victor claims the spoils: 
Hospitable Kentucky. 

She's a land in beauty dressed; 
With nature's grandeurs she is blessed. 
From her verdant hills and plains 
Floats sweet music 's tender strains. 
Her freaks of nature are renowned, 
Her splendid cities glory crowned, 
Her rivers thru green valleys wind. 
Her beauties, rare in Heaven, we find: 
Gorgeous Kentucky. 

She's a land of varied soils. 
Where an honest manhood toils ; 
Her valleys yield abundant grains, 
While cattle graze her Blue Grass plains. 
Her mountains, rich in oil and coal, 
She's only half way reached her goal — 
Sure your heart will be content 
On her soil to pitch your tent: 
Bounteous Kentucky. 

When the Hun assailed Old Glory, 
And their hordes had told a story 
Of their vicious crimes and deeds, 
Smashing civilization's creeds — 
From the Hills of Old Kentucky 
Marched the lads so brave and plucky. 
And over the ocean's broad expanse 
They sailed and drove the Hun from France- 
Brave Kentucky. 

On her noble history's pages 
The names of many brilliant sages. 
Like the stars of a summer's night. 
Shine and gleam with radiant light — 
There's Daniel Boone, of Pioneer fame, 
And Henry Clay, a glorious name, 
And scores of others, but one supreme — 
Abraham Lincoln, the nation's theme: 
Glorious Kentucky. 

She may boast of nature's beauties, 
How her men perform their duties. 
But there's something more serene 
Which has glorified the scene — 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 39 

As we bow in admiration 
To her fair sex, adoration 
And our banners are unfurled 
To the prettiest women in all the world : 
Sublime Kentucky. 

THE FARMERETTE 

Of all the lassies I've seen yet 
There's none so fair as the farmerette. 
She's just the girl I like to see — 
Her face is tan as tan can be, 
Her muscles are so firm and strong, 
Her raven locks are dangling long, 
Her beauty rare is plain to see, 
And the Farmerette is the girl for me. 

There's the blushing Yeomanette, 
And the fighting suffragette. 
Who their little bit have done 
In the fight against the Hun, 
But the girl who tilled the soil 
Just to help the Boche to foil. 
Was the sunburned Farmerette — 
The sweetest lassie I've seen yet. 

How I love my Farmerette, 
With her dimpled cheek's rosette. 
Tilling the soil from day to day, 
Raking the meadow sweet with hay; 
She braves the weather thru rain and sun 
And goes to her work with frolic and fun; 
Her beauty rare is plain to see — 
And the Farmerette is the girl for me. 



40 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



SIX MONTHS m THE NAVY 

Personal experiences of the writer during his brief service in the 
United States Navy at Great Lakes, 111. 

I joined the Navy six months ago 

As a Landsman, Electrician, Radio. 

I deemed myself extremely lucky 

When I sailed from the city, Louisville, Ky. 

I sailed all night in a pullman car 

In a direct line for the old North Star 

And the following day our company awakes 

At the beautiful port and "ship" Great Lakes 

We boarded the good old ship Great Lakes 
And trusted to luck to make no mistakes 
At first the voyage was calm and still 
But a tempest arose and tossed us at will 

The first little tempest came in detention 
When the Company commander yelled, attention! 
The next wave that hit us was right in the neck 
When at five A. M. they yelled "Hit the Deck" 

When all "On Board" lined up for chow 

It looked quite strange but I'm used to it now 

It was served in regular caffeteria style 

But we had to wash dishes which made us feel vile 

The Sea became choppy the further we got 
As we went the next day to get our first shot 
They stuck a sharp needle right into our arm 
That made us wish we were back on the farm 

Some of them fainted, but others were brave, 
While some of the weaker ones started to rave. 
Three shots in succession caused consternation 
As our fevers rose high from inoculation. 

But the company commander gave orders to hike it, 
For the good of the ship you'll learn to like it. 
Thus fresh from our homes and fond adoration 
We found in such orders, sweet consolation. 

I spent tferee weeks in strictest detention 
Where working and eating held our attention. 
We cleaned up the barracks, mopped up the floor 
And scrubbed on our clothes till our fingers were sore. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 41 



Before I dressed up in Uncle Sam's blue 

I'd often been used to a plain working crew, 

But never in my life did I laugh so hearty 

As when we fell in for a swell "Working Party." 

They said join the Navy and learn a good trade. 
They gave us a shovel, a pick and a spade, 
And ordered us sternly to, "Come, shake it up," 
So we followed our orders and drank the bitter cup. 

We dug deep trenches and levelled off hills 
And worked on the Sabbath versus our wills. 
If, alas, we found that our hammocks were dirty 
We hit the gray deck to wash at three-thirty. 

When we finished detention and started to leave 
We had been such angels it made our chief grieve, 
But the boys set out in varied directions 
To receive their specified list of instructions. 

So on to the Radio camp I went 
To learn how wireless messages are sent. 
My aspirations for Harvard were high 
But I didn't like Radio and let it go by. 

They said, join the Navy and see the world 
And follow Old Glory wherever unfurled. 
They put us to work with the carpenter gang 
And made us haul freight as we whistled and sang. 

They said, join the Navy and help lick the Hun. 
We didn't get a chance till the war was all won. 
I never did think that a fighter I'd make 
But I longed for a chance at the Kaiser to take. 

I had aspirations to go to the Pier. 

An officers' school to Chicago was near. 

So I screwed up courage and made application 

And in regular style passed examination. 

I saw mvself in handsome design 

A few months hence a strutting Ensign, 

Then for several long weeks I only "stood by 

Awaiting orders for a commission to try. 

During the weeks of watchful waiting 
Mv vaulted ambitions were slowly abating. 
T applied one day for medical attention- 
Was told that I needed a slight operation. 



42 THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



So off to the hospital hurriedly I went 

And four short weeks in that "haven" I spent. 

One time in my life I hated to get well 

For the nurses were pretty, GEE I they were swell ! 

My operation was a total success 
And back to my duties I hurried — I guess 
Three days I was out in the gracious sunlight 
And was struck by the Flu in its death dealing flight 

For two weeks more I was doctored and nursed 
As they fed me on pills and watered my thirst. 
So, recovered again, I went on my way 
Waiting — from dawn to the close of the day. 

Before very long another ambition 
Thrilled my heart and cheered my condition. 
As a chance was offered to all who got by 
To be a Paymaster in the Navy Up High. 

And again I ventured and passed examination 

For the Paymasters' school that gives a commission. 

Now two chances I have to be an ensign 

But the war is over and I think I'll resign. 

With the Navy I have no reason for quarrel 
But I wish to impress this bit of a moral: 
The Navy is full of excellent chances 
For men who are capable of making advances. 

So if you decide to enter the Navy 
Don't be afraid to eat beans and gravy. 
But enlist in the branch you like best of all 
And stick to that branch till the last roll call. 



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